In 1966, the rock group Lovin’ Spoonful had a huge hit with their song, “Summer in the City”. Little did they know then that their lyrics were a prophetic statement about one of today’s most critical environmental issues: climate change.
“Hot town, summer in the city, doesn’t seem to be a shadow in the city.
All around people lookin’ half dead, walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match-head.”
Today we know that there is a substantial temperature difference that exists between urban and rural areas. Known as the heat island effect, urban areas tend to be 3 degrees to 8 degrees hotter due to the concentration of heat-absorbing buildings, pavement, auto exhaust and hot air from cooling systems. And because traditional rooftops are usually covered with tar, black membrane or shingles, they absorb sunlight. On sunny days with an air temperature of 95 degrees F, city roofs can reach temperatures of 175 degrees or more. Studies have also shown that lack of vegetation in urban areas contributes more than 50% to these higher temperatures.
LiveRoof® is proving to be a champion in the fight against global warming. LiveRoof® is a roofing system that uses pre-vegetated modules filled with live, growing plants that act like an umbrella to shade and insulate buildings. Once installed, LiveRoof® transforms a heat absorbing flat rooftop into a beautiful expanse of succulent ground cover, water conserving accent plants, hardy bulbs and drought tolerant perennials and grasses. And because plants release oxygen and evaporate water, a LiveRoof® actually makes the surrounding air cooler. This evapotranspirative effect of plants on a roof can reduce indoor temperatures 6 degrees to 8 degrees during hot weather and reduce air-conditioning costs up to 50% in single story buildings.
In urban areas, impermeable surfaces such as streets and sidewalks dominate the landscape and prevent rainwater from following a natural cycle of absorption. As much as 75% of rainwater runs into sewer systems carrying contaminants from the air and roadways. The soil and plants in every LiveRoof® act like a sponge and can reduce runoff by up to 90+% annually, lessening the risk of sewer overflows and flooding.
Plants and soil are great acoustic insulators, too. Studies have shown that green roofs can reduce indoor sound by as much as 40 decibels. And every roof beneath a LiveRoof® is shielded from the elements. Typical estimates are that a green roof potentially extends roof lifetime between 200% and 300%, one of its biggest financial advantages.
” . . . Runnin’ upstairs, gonna meet you on the roof top.”
Of course there’s the aesthetic benefits. Green roofs are better looking than asphalt, gravel or tar; they’re a natural habitat for butterflies, insects and songbirds; and they create a more pleasing landscape, which means more productive, healthy, happy, creative and relaxed people. You can even walk on your LiveRoof® plants a couple times a week without causing permanent harm.
In Louisville, Commonwealth Roofing Corp. is an approved LiveRoof® installer. Owner Michael Sasse is proud to bring this new and exciting concept to his hometown. “Modules arrive with full-grown plants inside each container ready to be set in place and fit snugly together for a seamless, instantly green rooftop. Because they’re pre-vegetated, they discourage weeds and save the time and money traditionally required to develop and maintain a green roof grown from plugs, seeds or cuttings. Each module also has positive draining for healthy roots. There are no water reservoirs that can cause root rot. And if a roof ever needs service or modification, every module can be easily lifted to access the roof. Another important benefit of LiveRoof® is its specially formulated soil which is designed to last indefinitely.”
“There are three LiveRoof® systems with for all kinds of rooftops. The Standard LiveRoof® module weighs approximately 27-29 lbs/sq. ft. and Live Roof Lite, which is often the best choice for retrofit applications, weighs 15-17lbs/sq. ft. LiveRoof is earth friendly, an energy saver and aesthetically pleasing. It can also help building owners achieve their LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) that in turn promotes human and environmental health.”
“And babe, don’t you know it’s a pity, the days can’t be like the nights, in the summer in the city.”
LiveRoof® It’s one step toward making “summer in the city” better in every way.
For more information contact Michael Sasse, (502) 459-2216
Commonwealth Roofing Corp.
